Thrust balancing device for cryogenic fluid machinery

Abstract

An improvement for a turbine generator or pump having main bearings separated by a span of shaft and a thrust equalizing mechanism adjacent one of said main bearings, the improvement comprising a stationary length compensator interposed between the thrust equalizing mechanism and its adjacent main bearing to reduce the span between said main bearings. Preferably the length compensator is composed of material that shrinks less than the shaft of the generator, and the height of the length compensator, i.e., the compensating dimension, is selected according to desired thrust equalizing mechanism operating parameters over a temperature range.

1 . For a cryogenic liquid turbine generator or pump having main product-lubricated bearings separated by a span of shaft and a thrust equalizing mechanism adjacent one of said main bearings, an improvement comprising a stationary spacer interposed between the thrust equalizing mechanism and its adjacent main bearing to reduce the span between said main bearings, wherein the spacer is composed of material that shrinks less than the shaft of the generator. 
   
   
       2 . (canceled) 
   
   
       3 . The improvement according to  claim 1  wherein the height of the spacer is selected according to desired thrust equalizing mechanism operating parameters over temperature range. 
   
   
       4 . (canceled) 
   
   
       5 . For a cryogenic liquid turbine generator or pump having product-lubricated main bearings separated by a span of shaft and a thrust equalizing mechanism which includes a stationary thrust plate adjacent one of the main bearings and a variable orifice defined between the thrust plate and a throttle plate affixed to the shaft, an improvement comprising a stationary length compensator interposed between the thrust plate and its adjacent main bearing to space said adjacent main bearing from the thrust plate in order to reduce the span between said main bearings, wherein the spacer is composed of material that shrinks less than the shaft of the generator. 
   
   
       6 . (canceled) 
   
   
       7 . The improvement according to  claim 5  wherein the heights of the thrust plate and the length compensator are selected to produce a desired variable orifice over a range of operating temperatures. 
   
   
       8 . (canceled) 
   
   
       9 . For a cryogenic liquid turbine generator or pump having product-lubricated main bearings separated by a span of shaft and a thrust equalizing mechanism which includes a stationary thrust plate adjacent one of the main bearings, an improvement comprising stationary means interposed between the thrust plate and its adjacent main bearing to space said adjacent main bearing from the thrust plate in order to reduce the span between said main bearings, wherein the spacer is composed of material that shrinks less than the shaft of the generator. 
   
   
       10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . The improvement according to  claim 9  wherein the height of said means is selected according to desired thrust equalizing mechanism operating parameters over a temperature range. 
   
   
       12 . (canceled)